Dating a Carl Thompson semi frills

[David Sutkin]

TB friends,

I just scored an INSANELY BEAUTIFUL Carl Thompson "Semi Frils" 4 string

The serial # is

10209
2

I was told the “2” might mean that it’s the 2nd semi frills ever made. Is this valid?

Can anyone date this (even roughly) for me, please?

I'm wondering what the "2" under the 10209 stands for. I'll add some pics which might help.

Thanks in advance for the replies.

David

 

[LowEndGroover]

Hi David. Hope all is well. I don’t believe that it means the second one ever made. My guess is that it’s the second No Frills completed that day. Here is a pic with another 2 under the serial number.

My CT No Frills is a 2005.

Thank you for everything you do for our community and enjoy your newest addition!

Cheers,
Eddie

 

[David Sutkin]

Thanks, Eddie.

Appreciate the information, brother. Thanks for all the support as well.

Cheers,
David

 

[Lo-E]

Have you called Carl? He could probably tell you what’s what on that bass or one of his assistants might. I believe it’s only a two or three man operation.

I haven’t been by his shop in years but Carl was always very generous with his time, knowledge and stories.

 

[EddiePlaysBass]

I totally misinterpreted the "dating" part of the thread title

 

[bobfarabaugh]

David, going by photo collection on CT’s website I believe your bass lived multiple lives. It states it was originally fretless but later fretted. Check it out if you haven’t already. Looks like at one time there was a personalized message from Carl on back plate. Very cool indeed. Perhaps they stamp them with a “2” if they rework them. Give his shop a call and let us know what you find out.

 

[doubleohnodj]

David, you likely bought this bass from me, or the person who bought it from me recently. That info came from Pete Hilton who asked Carl himself what that 02 might have meant.

 

[dblbass]

Hey!

The ‘finished’ date of your bass would’ve been October 20fh 2009.

As for the 2 stamped under it…

When I got to carls shop we had the ‘no-frills’ and the fancy basses. The ‘semi-frills’ basses were gunna be a small run of no frills basses with ebony fingerboards and headstock veneers.

Well that didn’t happen and they ended up being more of a thing and morphed into lots of different upgrades over the years.

The 2 likely means you have the 2nd one from that initial run.